Mike McCarthy thinks lockout plays to Packers’ advantage

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 12, 2011, 1:28 PM EST

Unlike most of the NFL world, Packers coach Mike McCarthy is not particularly concerned about the lockout. In fact, McCarthy figures that the 2011 season will start eventually, and that when it does, the lockout may actually work out well for his team.

“I think when it’s all said and done it may even help us,” McCarthy said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “It takes the focus away. When you win, you want to be like everybody else, just get back into your routine.”

There’s some truth to what McCarthy is saying. The teams in greatest need of a full offseason of work are the teams that are making major changes. The Super Bowl champion Packers are content to keep things just as they are.

McCarthy also said he thinks his coaching staff is in good shape, and that if anything, his players could use a little more time off this offseason because they had such an intense schedule late in the year, with two must-win games to end the regular season, followed by four postseason games.

“So from McCarthy’s perspective, this lockout may actually give the Packers a better chance of winning the Super Bowl again next year.”

Sorry.
The Jets already won next’s years’ Super Bowl.
Just ask Rex.

clayjayhawk says:Mar 12, 2011 1:34 PM

The Packers offseason won’t be harmed at all. Our free agency is the draft and we are allowed to do that so what’s the problem? Go Packers!

revolution22 says:Mar 12, 2011 1:35 PM

I can’t imagine this crap still going on in Feb of ’12. If it does, well…Indy is out $200 million bucks. Oh well. But it will be resolved by then. Mark my words. And Coach is right. A little more rest, and relaxation couldn’t hurt the Champs.

shieldsisland37 says:Mar 12, 2011 1:36 PM

yea IF there is a superbowl next year. What if there is only 8 games? Will that taint the next championship?

clintonportisheadd says:Mar 12, 2011 1:36 PM

He’s right but this point has been made a million times here.

Teams with coaches and/or teams with new QB’s will be at a disadvantage to stable teams like the Pack, Pats, Colts etc.

It wasn’t an earth shattering observation 3 months ago and it isn’t today.

I guess McCarthy thinks all of his players are going to show up in perfect shape and with an absolutely comprehensive knowledge of the playbook after the labor dispute is resolved.

Alternatively, he may have already contacted and worked out contracts with replacements and current players who want to play football rather than pay lawyers.

wryly1 says:Mar 12, 2011 1:47 PM

He’s right. The ‘haves’ remain protected in a strong position, while the ‘have-not’ teams are being held back by the current situation.

SpartaChris says:Mar 12, 2011 1:47 PM

The players returning from IR also give them a great shot at repeating. They lost a lot of talent and replaced them with backups. Not only will they be getting quite a bit of their starting talent back, but their backup talent will have a ton of experience too.

Great position to be in.

db105 says:Mar 12, 2011 1:48 PM

Even though the Packers won the Super Bowl they are still a borderline playoff team. The Packers, like the Jets, were a Wildcard team that barely made the playoffs.

dryheaveone says:Mar 12, 2011 1:53 PM

and then McCarthy sat down and ate a half-dozen donuts

clintonportisheadd says:Mar 12, 2011 1:53 PM

txchief says: Mar 12, 2011 1:44 PM

I guess McCarthy thinks all of his players are going to show up in perfect shape and with an absolutely comprehensive knowledge of the playbook after the labor dispute is resolved.

—————–

They did this year which is why they won. Why would he not think it won’t happen again?

He’s refering to the fact that, the offense and defense will be the same. No new QB to learn a system, Capers still running the same D.

So they aren’t at the disadvantage that other teams like, the Vikings as an example, they will need to learn a different offense and probably have a new QB that needs to learn it.

dempsey63 says:Mar 12, 2011 3:05 PM

Maybe the 2011 regular season will be wiped out, but the postseason could consist of a 32-team elimination tournament: two divisional playoff games, two conference-level contests, and the Super Bowl in Indianapolis featuring Alice Cooper as the halftime entertainer.

“Even though the Packers won the Super Bowl they are still a borderline playoff team. The Packers, like the Jets, were a Wildcard team that barely made the playoffs.”

So wait, your basing your opinion off of how the Packers made the playoffs instead of how they actually played in the playoffs? because for a team that barely made it in, they sure as hell played spectacular.

kennyrogerschicken says:Mar 12, 2011 3:11 PM

db105 –

Seriously? Your comment ranks right up there with the guy who claimed Green Bay isn’t good because they didn’t win their division last year.

By the way, I’d rather have my “borderline” team win the Super Bowl instead of it having 12 wins and losing in the first round.

Mike McCarthy is a great coach and an excellent motivator. Even when the players are away he’s sending them messages and keeping the focus.

If only the NFL was a league of franchises like the Packers, where the fans have a stake and buy in, where the majority of the players are sought after for their high character, where the president is held accountable to the fans, and of course open books!

No wonder the Green Bay Packers Inc. brand stands for the most championships…

Even though the Packers won the Super Bowl they are still a borderline playoff team. The Packers, like the Jets, were a Wildcard team that barely made the playoffs.
__________________________________
And thanks for playing. Way to go. Easily the dumbest comment I have seen on PFT in a week.

pervyharvin says:Mar 12, 2011 3:55 PM

God, by the mutual rear licking and Packer stroking on this thread one would think you were a dynasty! LMAO…You won last year and the run is over. You will NEVER be like the 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys or Pats. You know, teams that ruled eras. Stick a fork in your pork Pack tools…

Although the story has nothing to do with the Vikings, some of their fans show up.
Envy.
Obsession.
And a long off-season with nothing else to do besides looking at the deflated HumptyDump which so perfectly symbolizes the state of their sorry franchise.

sincitycheeze says:Mar 12, 2011 4:45 PM

pervyharvin says:
Mar 12, 2011 3:55 PM
God, by the mutual rear licking and Packer stroking on this thread one would think you were a dynasty! LMAO…You won last year and the run is over. You will NEVER be like the 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys or Pats. You know, teams that ruled eras. Stick a fork in your pork Pack tools…

And the vikes aren’t even like the Buc’s,Raven’s, or the Jet’s.One time Superbowl winners.Stick that in your pipe you viking d-bag.

@goombar2 WE’VE ruled multiple eras? Do you play for the packers you clown? just because you won the 1st two surperbowls doesn’t mean anything. and just to be clear, what eras did you rule?

artvandelay187 says:Mar 12, 2011 5:36 PM

beedubyatoo says: Mar 12, 2011 4:52 PM

Fortunately, Pervey, the Packers will never be like the Vikings either, losers of 4 Super Bowls, winners of none and going nowhere.
____________________________

Actually to be fair they might be going to LA.

dempsey63 says:Mar 12, 2011 5:56 PM

“…looking at the deflated HumptyDump which so perfectly symbolizes the state of their sorry franchise.”

Actually, stavreafavre, there was an embarrassing faux pas on the part of President Jimmy Carter as he was dedicating the Metrodome to the Minnesota’s late, great “Hubert Horatio Hornblower… (panicked pause) …Humphrey.”

People quickly forgave Carter’s Freudian slip, and little did they know that the place would become synonymous with its own obnoxious Viking hornblower!

@pervyharvin
another prediction by pervyharvin, almost guarantees the Packers will now have the greatest dynasty of all time. Thanks perv, you just made my day.

Deb says:Mar 12, 2011 7:26 PM

@txchief …

I don’t believe the coach of the reigning Super Bowl champions–a working-class guy from Pittsburgh–is running around lining up scabs. He’s confident because he has a good team that wasn’t planning significant off-season changes. And he knows his players want to be on the field. That’s why their union decertified to try and block a lockout!

How much are the owners paying you to come on here and shill for them? Good grief

thefiesty1 says:Mar 12, 2011 8:38 PM

If they don’t have off season workouts, OTA’s, etc. And a preseason if only a couple of games, the season won’t matter anyway (if they have one). I think the owners are serious about the lockout. If there is a season all the teams will be mediocre to terrible. Hell, even the Browns, Texans, Jags or 49ers could play in a super bowl with a bunch of scabs.

dfinpds says:Mar 12, 2011 9:22 PM

pervy::: Did the world begin when you were born? When the vikings became an expansion franchise? How are past titles uncountable? The men who played in those games paved the way for the league as it exists today……… Maybe your twisted childish world began when you decided to make up your fantasy life of being a boxer/special forces combatant/retired business man living on your investments, but the INTELLIGENT people who follow this sport realize that without the past seasons, there would be no league PERIOD…..those who do not heed the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them…..so you just keep trying to convince people you are a grown up…..maybe some day you will become one…….

I have heard nothing but good things about Art Rooney, when he says the owners put a fair offer on the table for the players I take him at his word. I know you know a lot about the Rooney’s and how much class they have, so if you believe he is lying I believe you are shilling for the union. Who would you trust more, Ben Roethlisburger or Art Rooney?

@goombar2 WE’VE ruled multiple eras? Do you play for the packers you clown? just because you won the 1st two surperbowls doesn’t mean anything. and just to be clear, what eras did you rule?

——————————————————

Yes indeed WE. In this day and age of free agency, it’s even more appropriate for fans to use we. I’ll be a fan long after all the current players, coach, GM are long gone. I’ve been a fan long before any of them got here. And without the fans, none of them would be here.

Way to omit the 60’s
60’s Championships
1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967

Green Bay also is the only NFL team to win three straight titles, having done it twice (1929-30-31 and 1965-66-67).

Deb says:Mar 13, 2011 12:00 AM

@sakatak …

Made the shilling comment to txchief because he’s on every thread asking questions such as When has a union ever built anything? I’ve never seen a CEO build anything. We’re just idealogically opposed.

As to your question about the Rooneys (ignoring the silliness about Roethlisberger) … Dan said a few weeks ago he wasn’t happy with the way this was progressing. I believe that’s because he knew the majority of owners wanted to force a lockout. Yes, the NFL’s publicized offer seemed fair, but it didn’t address the disputed monies. If the league intended to force a lockout, the union’s only hope to block it was to decertify before the lockout deadline.

I respect the Rooneys enough to know that at this point they have no choice but to present a united front with the other owners in public. Art’s brief statement was very diplomatic. It didn’t contain the incendiary language expressed by Mike Brown or Dean Spanos. He simply said it was a fair offer–and as far as it went, I think it was fair. But issues were still on the table and time was running out. The players couldn’t afford to get caught with their pants down.

The players aren’t angels, and I do respect the Rooneys and some of the other owners. But I know several owners are unprincipled men who play fast-and-loose with the rules and would screw the players, us, and each other for their own ends. Wouldn’t trust them as far as I could toss them downfield. Sure as heck wouldn’t believe they’re losing money without seeing it documented. They’ve manipulated this situation to get us exactly where we are now. They’re no better than Wall Street/Enron types, and fans are fools for painting them like they’re a bunch of small business owners being sucked dry by employees dipping into the till. That is not what’s happening here.

dfinpds says:Maybe your twisted childish world began when you decided to make up your fantasy life of being a boxer/special forces combatant/retired business man living on your investments, but the INTELLIGENT people who follow this sport realize that without the past seasons, there would be no league PERIOD
======================================
Wow…is that you Sandy? My neglected ex wife…

@Pervyharvin
your choice in women rivals your choice of sports teams. Just as in divorce you can change the team you choose to support (love). Life is too short to continue to pull for a loser (Vikings). The decision is yours. Think about it.

@Deb
Thanks for you response, you obviously studied the situation and have some good insight. I appreciate it when people look at a dispute like this from both sides. It is clear you have a union background and I respect that. I tend to side with management but know they can be mistrusted. In the end we are all fans. By the way it is clear after this years Super Bowl the Steelers and Packers both have classy organizations. Stay cool.

pervyharvin says:Mar 13, 2011 10:51 AM

sakatak says:Just as in divorce you can change the team you choose to support (love). Life is too short to continue to pull for a loser (Vikings). The decision is yours. Think about it.
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While I do agree life is too short to spend with a terrible partner, jumping ship on your sports team to me is not only cowardly,shows lack of character. I’ll die a Viking fan if they never win a SB.

pervyharvin says:Mar 13, 2011 10:55 AM

sakatak saysBy the way it is clear after this years Super Bowl the Steelers and Packers both have classy organizations. Stay cool.
=====================================
Too bad the same can’t be said for their fans….

13xworldchamps says:Mar 13, 2011 11:00 AM

God, by the mutual rear licking and Packer stroking on this thread one would think you were a dynasty! LMAO…You won last year and the run is over. You will NEVER be like the 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys or Pats. You know, teams that ruled eras. Stick a fork in your pork Pack tools…

——————————————————

Hey Pervy….if your team is the 49er, the boys, the Steelers or Pats you have a right to make this claim…..You root for the last place team in the division, the oldest team in the NFL, with no QB, No stadium, Pat williams is gone, the other williams will miss 4 games…………need I go on……..your obsession with the Packers must be the fact you have nothing to look forward to with your team………………..

I’ll die a Viking fan if they never win a SB.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good to know but both are guaranteed to happen no matter how long you live.

What amazes me most is not the fact that the Vikings never have won but that most of the Viking fans actually think they will some day.

My only request is that you keep posting your predictions, I consider your picks against the Packers a good luck charm because every time you said they were going to lose, they won. Including a Superbowl!

@pervyharvin
Every team has fans that at times don’t show much class. Normally alcohol fuels the problem. I have been to Lambeau on many occasions in the last 50+ years, overall the Packer fans are classy.
On another topic, I was a huge Milwaukee Braves fan, until they decided to move to Atlanta. I no longer care for the team and I don’t consider myself a coward or think that shows lack of character. I am not saying the Vikings are moving to L.A., but if they did, would you still support them?
Do you support Viking players that have no class? Would you be happy if the Vikings decided to give Randy Moss another shot? Just curious.

Deb says:Mar 13, 2011 1:55 PM

@sakatak …

Can’t help but laugh at the part about me having a union background … well, not exactly. I seem to have popped from the womb refusing to cross a picket line but we can’t figure out why LOL Was quizzing mom yesterday trying to figure out if she attended labor rallies when pregnant. I come from a family of small business owners. But I’ve also worked in a corporate environment and done a lot of research. Unions need some revamping, but big corporations, banks, Wall Street are not interested in doing right by average Americans. They’re greed personified.

“God, by the mutual rear licking and Packer stroking on this thread one would think you were a dynasty! LMAO…You won last year and the run is over. You will NEVER be like the 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys or Pats. You know, teams that ruled eras. Stick a fork in
your pork Pack tools…”

If I recall just last year you Vikings losers were doing the same exact thing all because your lame team made it to the NFC Championship game. Now look at that franchise….it’s all in shambles. They are coming off a 6-10 season, their stadium is ruined, their QB sexted, their coach was fired, they went through 2 different QBs within the final 4-5 weeks, and to top it all off numerous players were arrested.

With that said, at least us Packer fans have something to brag about and have something to show for it unlike the Vikings, who haven’t done anything in, well, ever.